UKTV has announced its half-year results, which reveal a record-breaking six months for the multichannel broadcaster.
UKTV is the fastest-growing network in Britain, increasing its ad impacts by 7.6 per cent year-on-year. UKTV has also seen a 50 per cent increase in views to its on-demand service, UKTV Play since a product redesign in June.
Reaching an all-time high, UKTV’s consolidated share of commercial impacts (SOCI), averaged at 9.74 per cent for the first half of 2016. The broadcaster grew its ad impacts 7.6 per cent year-on-year, while the market grew by only 2.7 per cent. For the first time, the UKTV network achieved ten per cent SOCI for a full quarter for Q2.
Darren Childs, chief executive of UKTV said, “Our investment in bold, original programmes for our vibrant channel brands continues to chime with audiences from Dynamo: Live to The Comic Strip Presents to the David Haye fights and Taskmaster [pictured], the year so far has been outstanding, and the best is yet to come. Our share of commercial impacts continues to grow so we can better serve British viewers and advertisers in this competitive market.”
UKTV’s VoD services are also enjoying growth, up 12 per cent year-on-year for the first half of 2016, boosted by roll out on new devices and platforms, and increased library shows and box sets. UKTV Play has enjoyed an 84 per cent increase in views year-on-year, and the app passed one million downloads.
The UK’s most watched non-PSB channel Dave moved into live sports for the first time in 2016, securing the live rights to the David Haye comeback fight at the O2 arena, which brought in a record-breaking peak audience of 3.2 million viewers.
UKTV aims to continue its commissioning strategy for Dave, and last week announced satirical politics talk show, Unspun with Matt Forde. It also plans to commission more new formats across more genres, including live entertainment and sports, scripted comedy, talk shows, authored documentaries, fixed rig and observational documentaries.
